Ben Stokes denies rift rumours with England opener Alex Hales

English all-rounder Ben Stokes, who retired from ODIs and is currently the red-ball skipper, was delighted to see Alex Hales rejoin the team after more than a three-year break. Following a disciplinary situation in 2017, where they got into a street brawl in Bristol following an ODI match against the West Indies, the two currently have a tense relationship.

Following an investigation, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued penalties to both cricket players. Wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow’s exit from the T20 World Cup opened the doors for Hales’ return to the international setup for the first time since 2019. Hales has been in fine touch with the bat recently, and his outings at franchise-based league tournaments have been remarkable too.

“I think at the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to win that World Cup for England. My goal, Alex’s goal, and everyone else who’s part of that squad’s goal is to win that World Cup. And it’s an injury that presents an opportunity to someone else. Alex is definitely one of the best T20 players in the world. And unfortunately, with what happened with Jonny we had to call another player up and know Alex is definitely one of the guys that bowlers just don’t want to be bowling at in the T20 format,” Ben Stokes said.

Stokes said that Hales can handle the pressure situations in big games very well

After Eoin Morgan’s retirement, Jos Buttler was named the team’s skipper and he will lead the side in the T20 World Cup as well as in the upcoming Pakistan series which comprises seven T20Is. Jason Roy, who was expected to replace Bairstow after initially missing out on the squad due to his poor form, could not make it even when the doors were open as Hales was preferred over Roy. Speaking of Hales’ abilities to play big games, Stokes further stated:

“I’ve not been in the leadership capacity with the white ball group for however long. I’ve obviously been resting and stuff like that. But when it comes down to the big moments in games and World Cup games, knockout games, you want your best players there to be taking that pressure on and he certainly is one of those.”